Diaper with fastener

ABSTRACT

A multilayer diaper having a belt connected thereto which secures the main section of the diaper around an infant&#39;&#39;s bottom by means of mating &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Velcro&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; plush pile fasteners that are sewn to the belt and main section of the diaper.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Mary E. Brink 4607 W. Marten Ave.,Glendale, Ariz. 85301 [21] Appl. No. 11,415 [22] Filed Feb. 16, 1970[45] Patentedv Nov. 9, 1971 [54] DIAPER WITH FASTENER 4 Claims, 3Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl 128/287 [51] Int. Cl A611 13/16 [50] Field ofSearch 128/287, 284, DIG. 15 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,493,113 1/1950 Dance 128/287 2,717,437 9/1955 Demestral128/289 UX 3,081,772 3/1963 Brooks 128/287 3,110,312 11/1963 Wirth128/287 3,141,461 7/1964 Farris 128/284 3,150,664 9/1964 Noel 128/2873,359,980 12/1967 Rosenblatt 128/284 Primary ExaminerCharles F.Rosenbaum Attorneys-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT:A multilayer diaper having a belt connected thereto which secures themain section of the diaper around an infant's bottom by means of matingVelcro" plush pile fasteners that are sewn to the belt and main sectionof the diaper.

PATENTED NOV 9 I97! Mary E. Brink DIAPER WITH FASTENER The presentinvention relates to diaper constructions.

During the present time, most diapers in use must be fastened by meansof safety pins. These pins are difficult to insert, particularly with amoving infant, and at times the inserted pins open and cause a dangerouscondition. It is generally desirable to place rubber pants over a diaperso that changing an infant's diapers several times a day with clothdiapers and covering pants becomes a time-consuming and inconvenientprocess.

The present invention is related to a diaper having a singleconstruction multilayer main section with overlapping soft flannelpieces, the construction enclosing a water-impervious material such as aplastic sheet. Use of a moisture barrier obviates the necessity ofutilizing separate rubber pants.

The present invention utilizes Velcro" plush pile fasteners forpresenting a smooth unobstructing appearance that in no way irritatesthe infant. Use of the Velcro fasteners enables a mother to change aninfant rapidly and in a convenient manner. An integrally sewn fabricbelt is attached to the main section of the diaper and the Velcro"fasteners are attached to both the belt and the main section so that thebelt can secure the main section around the infant. An additionalbenefit derived from utilization of an embracing belt resides in thefact that the belt exerts slight abdominal pressure on the infantthereby inhibiting abdominal hernia.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals after to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the present diaperconstruction as finally folded.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along a plane passing through sectionline 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the diaper construction in an open orunfolded condition.

Referring to the figures, the present diaper construction includes amain section composed of two overlapping soft cloth layers, preferablyflannel, as indicated by 12 and 14 in FIG. 2. An interrnediatelyinserted plastic or other waterproof sheet 16 provides a moisturebarrier. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the layers are sewntogether by a marginal seam 20.

Considering the main section 10, a generally torso-shaped sectionincludes front and rear portions 24 and 22, respectively. The middle ofthe main section 10 is inwardly contoured as indicated by 26 and afterfolding the diaper along a foldline connecting the contours, the diapermaterial snugly engages the infant's bottom. When in the folded positionas seen in FIG. 1, the straight outer edges 28 and 30 of the mainsection are positioned in overlapping relation. Rectangular cloth strips32 and 34, preferably made of flannel, extend laterally outwardly fromthe rear portion 22 of the diaper main section 10 at points adjacentedge 28. The belt strips 32 and 34 are each composed of two cloth layerssewn together by marginal seams 36.

A first plush pile strip 38, such as manufactured by the VelcroCorporation and marketed as "Velcro, is sewn to the underside of thefront diaper portion 24 as indicated in FIG. 3. A second fastener strip40' is sewn to the outer end of belt band 32, the Velcro" strips 40 and38 being adapted for mutual securement. A third Velcro strip 42 is sewnto the underside of the belt band 32 at the inward end thereof and afterbeing folded, the strip 42 faces outwardly to be engaged by a fourthVelcro" strip 44 sewn on the upwardly facing side of the left belt band34, as illustrated in FIG. 3. When the aforementioned strips have beenproperly fastened, the diaper takes on the finished appearance shown inFIG. 1. As will be noted from FIG. 2, the Velcro" fasteners do not touchthe infant's skin.

The belt bands 32 and 34 are designed to snugly engage an infant'sabdominal area and apply mild forces which inhibit abdominal hernia.

The construction of the present diaper 18 preferably washable and longlasting. If desired, additional padding may be added. Therefore, byutilizing the present invention, a convenient and sanitary diaperconstruction is offered to mothers.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. A diaper construction comprising a main section which is generallyrectangular in the unfolded condition and which may be folded into frontand rear portions for covering an infants bottom, infant-embracing beltmeans extending transversely from said rear portion including a firstbelt portion extending from one comer of said rear portion and a secondbelt portion extending from the other comer of said rear portion inalignment with said first belt portion, first and secondplushpile-fastening means on the inner end surfaces of each of saidfirst and second belt portions respectively, third plush-pilefasteningmeans on the outer surface of said second belt portion near said othercorner of the rear portion and remote from the end of said second beltportion, a fourth plush-pilefastening means on the outer surface of acorner of said front portion which is diagonally opposite said othercorner when in said folded condition, said second belt portion extendingaround said front portion and overlapping said fourthplushpile-fastening means whereby said second plush-pile-fastening meansengages said fourth plush-pile-fastening means, and said first beltportion extending around said front portion and overlapping asubstantial part of second second belt portion and completelyoverlapping said third plush pile fastening means whereby said firstplush-pile-fastening means engages said second plush-pile-fasteningmeans, all of said plush-pilefastening means being covered by said firstand second belt portions together, thereby providing smooth outersurfaces, at relatively firm belt being formed which exerts mildrestraining forces on an infant's abdominal area for inhibitingabdominal hernia.

2. The structure of claim 8 wherein said first, second, third and fourthplush-pile-fastening means include circumferentially elongated plushpile areas to enable adjustment of the circumferential extent of thediaper.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main section iscontoured inwardly at a folding line to effect snug contact between thediaper and an embraced infant.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said main portion includesinner and outer cloth layers and a moisture barrier enclosedtherebetween.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,618,608 Dated Novemjirj, 197].

Inventor(s) Mary E. Brink It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

In the heading, change inventor's address to 4607 W. Morten Ave.

Claim 1, line 21, change "second" (first occurrence) to --said--.

Claim 2, line 1, change "8" to --l--.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of April 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I LFLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. A diaper construction comprising a main section which is generallyrectangular in the unfolded condition and which may be folded into frontand rear portions for covering an infant''s bottom, infant-embracingbelt means extending transversely from said rear portion including afirst belt portion extending from one corner of said rear portion and asecond belt portion extending from the other corner of said rear portionin alignment with said first belt portion, first and secondplush-pilefastening means on the inner end surfaces of each of saidfirst and second belt portions respectively, third plush-pile-fasteningmeans on the outer surface of said second belt portion near said othercorner of the rear portion and remote from the end of said second beltportion, a fourth plush-pile-fastening means on the outer surface of acorner of said front portion which is diagonally opposite said othercorner when in said folded condition, said second belt portion extendingaround said front portion and overlapping said fourthplush-pile-fastening means whereby said second plush-pile-fasteningmeans engages said fourth plush-pile-fastening means, and said firstbelt portion extending around said front portion and overlapping asubstantial part of second second belt portion and completelyoverlapping said third plush pile fastening means whereby said firstplushpile-fastening means engages said second plush-pile-fasteningmeans, all of said plush-pile-fastening means being covered by saidfirst and second belt portions together, thereby providing smooth outersurfaces, a relatively firm belt being formed which exerts mildrestraining forces on an infant''s abdominal area for inhibitingabdominal hernia.
 2. The structure of claim 8 wherein said first,second, third and fourth plush-pile-fastening means includecircumferentially elongated plush pile areas to enable adjustment of thecircumferential extent of the diaper.
 3. The structure as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said main section is contoured inwardly at a foldingline to effect snug contact between the diaper and an embraced infant.4. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said main portion includesinner and outer cloth layers and a moisturE barrier enclosedtherebetween.